Former Army scout Cole Bridges has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to assist ISIS in planning an attack on American troops. The 24-year-old soldier used his military training to provide ISIS operatives, who were actually undercover FBI agents, with detailed plans for ambushing US forces in the Middle East.
Bridges became radicalized after joining the Army in 2019 and began consuming jihadist propaganda. In late 2020, he started communicating with an undercover FBI agent whom he believed was connected to ISIS. Over time, Bridges provided tactical advice on how to maximize casualties in an ambush and how to fortify ISIS positions against US troops.
In January 2021, Bridges sent a video of himself in military gear standing in front of an ISIS flag, signaling his support for the terrorist group. He later recorded a propaganda video encouraging attacks on US soldiers.
Bridges pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to kill American troops. During his sentencing, he expressed remorse for his actions, requesting a 40-year sentence. “I know what I did was wrong,” Bridges admitted, acknowledging his regret.
US Attorney Damian Williams condemned Bridges’ actions, stating that he betrayed his fellow soldiers by using his military expertise to plan their deaths. Thanks to the FBI’s intervention, no actual attacks were carried out.
Bridges will also serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence, bringing an end to a case that highlights the ongoing threat of radicalization within the military.
